Panerai Transat Classique - Fierce competitor slumbers within

In every sailor taking part in this extraordinary event, there slumbers a fierce competitor. With barely a week to go before the start of the Panerai Transat Classique 2012, the yachts moored in Cascais marina (Portugal) were invited to take part in the Cascais Classic Race organized last weekend by the Clube Naval de Cascais (CNC).

Conditions on Saturday prevented any racing (torrential rain and no wind) but Sunday's leg went ahead with 15 knots of wind and a fine swell in the mouth of the Tagus. Although some boats remained in harbour, occupied with a long list of things to do before next Sunday's main event, others took to the starting line in a somewhat subdued frame of mind, fearful of taking undue risks at this late stage. Fortunately for the other competitors and the public, their enthusiasm got the better of them from the word go! For example, the crews aboard Corto, Cipango and Persephone pushed their steeds as hard as they could to do justice to the fine turnout organized by their Portuguese hosts.

In the end it was the Tina-design Persephone owned by Yves Lambert which took the trophy, finishing one step ahead of Tal-A-Roz, owner Henrique Vasconcelos Dias, and Sea Lion, the latter having taken part in the Saint-Tropez to Cascais leg and belonging to Manuel Champalimaud. At the end of the day the crews met up at the CNC's clubhouse for a convivial evening. And now it's Monday and the pontoons are a hive of activity as the crews make their final preparations. Valteam and Cipango have been slipped for some minor hullwork. With only one week left before the start, the pressure is starting to mount...